Trade Across the Sahara: Linking Africa Through Gold, Salt, and Faith History JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 1

Lesson Plan: Origin of the Trans-Saharan Trade and Its Nature

Subject: History
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 13–14 years
Topic: Origin of the Trans-Saharan Trade and Its Nature
Sub-topic: Arab Influence, Spread of Islam, and Trade Networks
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the origin of the Trans-Saharan trade.
2. Discuss the impact of Arab conquests and Islam in North Africa and West Africa.
3. Describe the nature and routes of the trade.
4. Identify key goods and the role of different kingdoms in the trade.

Keywords

• Trans-Saharan Trade
• Islam
• Caravan
• Berbers
• Almoravid Movement

Set Induction

The teacher will show a map of Africa highlighting the Sahara Desert and the major trade routes. Students will be asked to guess how people from the desert regions exchanged goods with people from West Africa.

Entry Behavior

Students are familiar with basic African history, including knowledge of ancient empires like Ghana.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Map of Africa showing Trans-Saharan trade routes
• Pictures of caravans and camel transportation
• Historical accounts of the Almoravid movement

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students learned about early African civilizations and will now connect this to the influence of trade and religion in shaping these societies.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Map reading
• Communication and presentation skills

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• “A History of Africa” by J.D. Fage
• History Textbook for JSS 3

Instructional Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector (for map display)
• Printed worksheets

Content

1. Origin of the Trans-Saharan Trade
   • Began in the early medieval period.
   • Facilitated by the Arab conquest of North Africa.
   • Spread of Islam to the Sahel and Sudan regions enhanced trade relationships.
2. Arab Influence and the Spread of Islam
   • The Arabs conquered North Africa, including the Maghreb region, around the 7th century.
   • Islam spread southward to West African empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
   • The Berbers, converted to Islam, became intermediaries in the trade.
3. The Nature of the Trade
   • Goods traded included salt, gold, ivory, slaves, and textiles.
   • Trade caravans used camels to cross the harsh Sahara Desert.
   • Major trade routes connected North African cities (like Cairo and Tripoli) to West African kingdoms.
4. Conquest of Ancient Ghana
   • The Almoravid movement led by Abdullahi ibn Yasin expanded Islamic influence in the 11th century.
   • They conquered the Ghana Empire, integrating it into the Islamic trade network.

Evaluation

1. The Trans-Saharan trade was facilitated by the use of __________.
   a) Horses
   b) Camels
   c) Donkeys
   d) Cars
2. The __________ people acted as intermediaries in the trade.
   a) Berbers
   b) Zulus
   c) Masai
   d) Tuaregs
3. Islam spread to West Africa through __________.
   a) Books
   b) Conquests
   c) Scholars
   d) Trade
4. The Almoravid movement was led by __________.
   a) Mansa Musa
   b) Abdullahi ibn Yasin
   c) Sundiata Keita
   d) Idris ibn Ali
5. A major product transported from West Africa was __________.
   a) Salt
   b) Gold
   c) Silk
   d) Iron
6. Caravans moved across the Sahara using __________ animals.
   a) Camels
   b) Mules
   c) Elephants
   d) Cows
7. __________ was the empire that first fell to the Almoravids.
   a) Mali
   b) Ghana
   c) Songhai
   d) Kanem-Bornu
8. The __________ Desert was crossed during the trade.
   a) Kalahari
   b) Sahara
   c) Gobi
   d) Atacama
9. One of the key trade centers in North Africa was __________.
   a) Cairo
   b) Lagos
   c) Addis Ababa
   d) Nairobi
10. The spread of __________ led to cultural and trade connections between Africa and the Middle East.
    a) Buddhism
    b) Christianity
    c) Islam
    d) Hinduism
11. __________ was a key product transported from the northern Sahara.
    a) Gold
    b) Salt
    c) Coffee
    d) Cotton
12. Trans-Saharan trade peaked between the __________ centuries.
    a) 7th and 8th
    b) 9th and 12th
    c) 10th and 15th
    d) 16th and 18th
13. The Berbers converted to __________ and became merchants in the trade.
    a) Christianity
    b) Islam
    c) Judaism
    d) Hinduism
14. Trade routes connected North Africa with the __________ region.
    a) Sahel
    b) Maghreb
    c) Nile
    d) Congo
15. The conquest of the Maghreb allowed the spread of __________ culture.
    a) Roman
    b) Arab-Islamic
    c) Egyptian
    d) Portuguese

Class Activity Discussion

1. What is the Trans-Saharan trade?
   A trade route across the Sahara Desert that connected North and West Africa.
2. What goods were traded?
   Salt, gold, ivory, and slaves were commonly traded.
3. How did traders cross the desert?
   They used camel caravans.
4. Who were the Almoravids?
   A Muslim reform movement that conquered the Ghana Empire.
5. What role did Islam play in the trade?
   It strengthened trade links and cultural exchange.
6. What were the major kingdoms involved?
   Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
7. Why was salt important in trade?
   It was used to preserve food and as currency.
8. Which group served as intermediaries in trade?
   The Berbers facilitated the trade.
9. What region benefited from the trade?
   Both North Africa and West African kingdoms.
10. When did the trade begin?
    During the early medieval period.
11. How long did the trade last?
    It lasted for several centuries, peaking between the 10th and 15th centuries.
12. What religion spread through trade?
    Islam spread along with the trade.
13. Who led the Almoravid movement?
    Abdullahi ibn Yasin led the movement.
14. What was the impact of the trade?
    It promoted wealth, cultural exchange, and religious influence.
15. What empire was first conquered by the Almoravids?
    The Ghana Empire.

Presentation

1. Step 1: Review the students’ knowledge of ancient African empires.
2. Step 2: Introduce the origin of the Trans-Saharan trade.
3. Step 3: Discuss the role of Islam and key goods exchanged.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain the trade routes using the map.
• Discuss the Almoravid conquest.

Learners’ Activities

• Identify trade routes on the map.
• Share ideas on the significance of the trade.

Assessment

• Describe the origin of the Trans-Saharan trade.
• List three products exchanged.
• How did Islam spread in West Africa?

Evaluation Questions

1. Name two key products in the Trans-Saharan trade.
2. Who were the Berbers?
3. What religion spread through the trade?
4. What was the role of camels in trade?
5. Which empire was conquered by the Almoravids?

Conclusion

• Teacher will review key points and mark students’ assessments.

More Useful Links

• Trans-Saharan Trade: History Lessons for JSS 2 Students